Think about this: You’re recent out of college, full of large goals and a little bit of uncertainty. Throughout your latest internships, you usually felt misplaced, struggling to navigate with out correct steerage from busy supervisors. You needed to determine issues out by yourself. That is how my profession journey begins.
Again in 1999, I went to San Jose State College as a part of the change program to review enterprise for a yr. It was the peak of the dot-com bubble and Cisco was the highest firm everybody aspired to hitch.
Whereas at San Jose State College, I labored as a lifeguard on the campus swimming pool. That’s the place I met Andrew, a Cisco worker who got here to the pool day-after-day together with his son. We talked lots and actually related. After I was making ready to return to France for an internship, Andrew had a distinct thought. An concept that modified my life ceaselessly. “Why don’t you do an internship at Cisco?” And the remaining is historical past!
Two years later, after ending my research in Paris, my internship supervisor inspired me to use for the Cisco Gross sales Associates Program (CSAP). CSAP is particularly designed to develop recent graduates into future leaders by offering complete coaching and invaluable on-the-job expertise.
So, I took that recommendation — I utilized, was accepted, went to Amsterdam, and joined the primary EMEA cohort of the award-winning Cisco Gross sales Associates Program!
CSAP IMPACT
After I first arrived in wet Amsterdam to start out CSAP, I used to be so excited to go to the workplace, attend lessons, and meet new mates. This chance was my sense of accomplishment, and I wished to grab it to the fullest.
First, I discovered enterprise is way past what’s taught in books and discovered within the classroom. CSAP means that you can study via real-life examples. You’re related with profitable leaders and devoted mentors who genuinely decide to your development, guiding you step-by-step in constructing confidence and abilities.
Second, I discovered to respect and rejoice variations. Touring to totally different nations around the globe, I embraced numerous cultures and other people. These life classes have stayed with me, creating recollections that may final a lifetime.
Group influence has at all times been a core a part of Cisco’s DNA, ingrained in us from the beginning, and the values I gained throughout my yr in Amsterdam are really unbelievable. We frequently used our free days to come back collectively and assist clear the Amsterdam canals, amongst different group actions.
At the moment, I’m lucky to proceed pursuing my ardour by volunteering as an ocean coastguard and paramedic, because of Cisco’s paid Time2Give days — break day, along with our trip break day only for volunteering.
The chance to have this time to assist the group is what really makes a distinction. Every of us at Cisco has the power to energy to a extra inclusive future for all.
CSAP LESSONS
Wanting again, we had been certainly recent graduates with large goals and a little bit of uncertainty. Via CSAP, we discovered our paths and have now turn into profitable leaders, guiding the following era as we speak. The classes I discovered in CSAP are:
- Thrive for excellence in every thing you do.
- Be buyer and companion obsessed. At all times put them first.
- Be a folks particular person. Deal with your colleagues, clients, and companions with respect and empathy.
The way in which CSAP taught us how you can present up and interact with our clients, companions, and colleagues is the largest game-changer. I attempt to use that lesson to empower and coach the folks in my groups. Treating folks proper is important to doing enterprise the precise means.
I usually obtain suggestions from our clients and companions in regards to the account managers on my staff, their values, how they construct belief, and characterize Cisco’s values. I’m extremely proud that the majority of them come from CSAP. Throughout my journey. I additionally had the honour to be a CSAP Chief and immediately form the evolution of this system and onboard prime expertise for Cisco. I managed to cross on my classes and empower folks to excel and be nice at what they do, creating and nurturing the sample of excellence instilled in me throughout my CSAP days.
REUNION
After ending this system and returning to Paris, I acquired a job supply in Lyon. As a real third-generation Parisian (which is fairly uncommon!), I wanted a while to get used to the thought of transferring. I assumed I might solely be in Lyon for a few years. However right here I’m, 20 years later, nonetheless in Lyon and now a Director of International Digital Gross sales and Engineering, nonetheless rising and thriving with Cisco.
My journey with Cisco started after I was a lifeguard. Little did I do know, CSAP would turn into the most effective springboard for my profession, offering unbelievable experiences and most significantly, lifelong mates. Lately, we celebrated an enormous milestone: the twentieth anniversary of the primary CSAP EMEA cohort.
20 years in the past, 44 of us CSAPers, began this journey collectively. We’ve shared so many life moments — weddings, turning into dad and mom, profession adjustments, and different milestones collectively. It’s been an unbelievable journey!
All the next cohorts of this system will testify to the particular bond {that a} CSAP yr creates of their lives and their quite a few careers in Cisco and the trade outcome from the strong basis constructed via the event path it establishes.
I hope my classes and story will encourage you to be open to new alternatives and at all times be sort to folks round you. You by no means know when you’ll meet somebody or get right into a scenario that may change the course of your whole profession and life.
Stephan and the EMEA CSAPers have executed superb issues over the previous 20 years. Interested by what Cisco has completed in its 40 years? Try the 2024 Function Report to see our influence!
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